Books & Boba is a book club dedicated to books written by Asian and Asian American authors. We cover a wide range of genres including contemporary, historical fiction, sci-fi, fantasy, YA, nonfiction, thrillers, graphic novels, and memoirs.
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On our mid-month check in for September 2024, we highlight some of the latest Asian American publishing announcements, get some updates on which authors of Asian descent who made it to the National Book Awards long-lists, and touch a little on the latest controversy with NaNoWriMo!
Upcoming books mentioned in our publishing news:
Flashlight by Susan Choi
Let It Be a Tale: Palestinian Journalists on Survival and Resistance edited by Zahra Hankir
The Singular Life of Aria Patel by Samira Ahmed
Stars, Stripes, and Summer Nights by Celeste Dador
How to Free a Jinn by Raidah Shah Idil
Okchundang Candy by Jung-soon Go, translated by Aerin Park
Nest of Tongues by Randy Ribay
Every Single Splendor by Mae Respicio
A Zombie Day by An Na; illust by August Zhang
A Space for Nina by Karen Koh
When They Burned the Butterfly by Wen-yi Lee
Everything We Never Had by Randy Ribay
Kareem Between by Shifa Saltagi Safadi
The First State of Being by Erin Entrada
The Tale of a Wall: Reflections on the Meaning of Hope and Freedom by Nasser Abu Srour, translated by Luke Leafgren
The Book Censor’s Library by Bothayna Al-Essa; translated from Arabic by Ranya Abdelrahman and Sawad Hussain
Taiwan Travelogueby Yáng Shuāng-zǐ; translated by Lin King
Where the Wind Calls Homeby Samar Yazbek; translated by Leri Price
Books & Boba is a podcast dedicated to reading and featuring books by Asian and Asian American authors
Don't miss an all AAPI production of HENRY VI: A Trilogy in Two Parts at The Public in NYC
The National Asian American Theatre Company’s acclaimed production of HENRY VI: A TRILOGY IN TWO PARTS brings an all-AANHPI cast to The Public Theater for a decades-spanning saga of Joan of Arc, warring dukes, and the bloody birth of the War of the Roses. Adapted by Stephen Brown-Fried, this is Shakespeare like you've never experienced it.
Part 1: Foreign Wars opens with a king dead, an infant on the throne, and a country already coming apart at the seams. Part 2: Civil Strife picks up nearly 30 years later...and the bloodbath is yet to come. Simmering feuds explode into the War of the Roses, and nothing will ever be the same. Performances from June 9 through July 19!
Use code H6BC for $59 tickets!
On this episode, we chat with author Randy Ribay about his latest novel, Everything We Never Had, a YA story about four generations of Filipino men, each grappling with their own unique relationships with identity, masculinity, and father-son relationships. We talk with Randy about his inspirations for the book, as well as his thoughts on its themes of breaking out of toxic cycles.
On this episode, we welcome author Tara Sim to chat about her latest novel, We Shall Be Monsters, a YA dark Indian-inspired fantasy take on the Frankenstein story following a girl on a quest to resurrect her sister (who's accidental death she may also be responsible for) who gets drawn into a web of political intrigue by people who want her knowledge and powers. We chat with Tara about her journey as an author, as well as the inspirations behind her book (especially the very good zombie pup).
On this episode, we chat with author Lygia Day Peñaflor about her debut latest novel Creep: A Love Story, a story about a girl who might be too big a fan of her high school's "it" couple. We chat with Lygia about her inspirations for the story and what it was like to get into the head of an extreme stan.
Don't miss an all AAPI production of HENRY VI: A Trilogy in Two Parts at The Public in NYC
#194 - You're Invited by Amanda Jayatissa
Episode 194
Saturday, October 8, 2022 • Duration 01:06:42
On this episode, we discuss our Books & Boba September 2022 pick, You're Invited by Amanda Jayatissa, a twisty thriller about Amaya, a woman who returns to her hometown for the first time in years to stop the wedding between her ex-best friend and her ex-boyfriend. To do so, she need to re-enter the cutthroat Sri-Lankan high society that she thought she had left behind forever. But is everything really how it seems? Or is there something dark festering underneath this perfect wedding that Amaya is willing to go as far as it takes to stop it?
Don't miss an all AAPI production of HENRY VI: A Trilogy in Two Parts at The Public in NYC
The National Asian American Theatre Company’s acclaimed production of HENRY VI: A TRILOGY IN TWO PARTS brings an all-AANHPI cast to The Public Theater for a decades-spanning saga of Joan of Arc, warring dukes, and the bloody birth of the War of the Roses. Adapted by Stephen Brown-Fried, this is Shakespeare like you've never experienced it.
Part 1: Foreign Wars opens with a king dead, an infant on the throne, and a country already coming apart at the seams. Part 2: Civil Strife picks up nearly 30 years later...and the bloodbath is yet to come. Simmering feuds explode into the War of the Roses, and nothing will ever be the same. Performances from June 9 through July 19!
Use code H6BC for $59 tickets!
#193 - Author Chat w/ Judy I Lin
Episode 193
Friday, September 30, 2022 • Duration 51:39
On this episode, we welcome bestselling author Judy I. Lin to chat about her debut duology A Magic Steeped in Poison and A Venom Dark and Sweet, an Asian-inspired fantasy series about magical tea, imperial court intrigue, and a young woman's quest for redemption. We chat with Judy about her inspirations behind the story, as well as her series' whirlwind publishing schedule.
The Books & Boba September 2022 pick is You're Invited by Amanda Jayatissa
#192 - September 2022 Book News
Episode 192
Friday, September 23, 2022 • Duration 59:25
On this episode, we highlight the latest book and publishing news in Asian American literature for our September 2022 mid-month check-in, this month we also check out some recent book awards updates and have a chat about the sad recent trends of book bans.
New books and authors mentioned in our publishing news:
Song of the Six Realms by Judy Lin
Good Fortune by C.K. Chau
Covenant series by LySandra Vuong
Oxherd Boy by Regina Linke
My Father, the Panda Killer by Jamie Jo Hoang
Toto by Hyewon Yum
A Suffragist's Guide to the Antarctic by Yi Shun Lai
The Spirit Mirror by Roshani Chokshi
A Drop of Venom by Sajni Patel
The No-Shoes Home by Helena Ku Rhee; illust by Myo Yim
I Drew a Heart by Gillian Sze
Perfect by Waka T. Brown; illust by Yuko Jones
Ganesha Goes Green by Lakshmi Thamizhmani; illust by Debasmita Dasgupta
A Sky That Sings by Anita Sanchez & George Steele; illust by Emily Mendoza
Goodnight Zodiac Animals by Jiemei Lin
Postcards from Malcolm X: How Yuri Kochiyama Became a Civil Rights Activist by Mia Wenjen; illust by Keith Henry Brown
Together on Eid by Sana Rafi; illust by Mariam Quraishi
When We Were Sisters by Fatimah Asghar
The Haunting of Hajji Hotak and Other Stories by Jamil Jan Kochai
All This Could be Different by Sarah Thankam Mathews
As She Appears by Shelley Wong
The Rupture Tense by Jenny Xie
A Thousand Steps into Night by Traci Chee
Maizy Chen’s Last Chance by Lisa Yee
All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir
Seasons of Purgatory Shahriar Mandanipour
Scattered All Over the Earth by Yoko Tawada
Ibn Arabi’s Small Death by Mohammed Hasan Alwan
#191 - Author Chat w/ Tracey Lien
Episode 191
Thursday, September 15, 2022 • Duration 01:04:42
On this episode, author Tracey Lien joins the podcast to talk about her debut novel All That's Left Unsaid, a thrilling mystery about a journalist who returns to her hometown of Cabramatta after her baby brother's violent death in search for answers and to confront her past. Tracey shares about her inspirations for the novel, as well as about her journey to becoming a novelist.
From Ma-Yi Theater Company (The Chinese Lady, Teenage Dick) comes a generation-spanning new journey through the historical and fantastical. Mixing traditional Korean fables with the horrors of the Korean War, Daniel K. Isaac’s epic new play is a funny and deeply moving analog for the experiences of the Korean American diaspora. Isaac deftly moves his characters through time, tracing the legacies of trauma that are passed from one generation to the next, and the various coping mechanisms each one uses to soldier on.
Playing August 23 - September 18 at the La Mama's Ellen Stewart Theater in New York City
#190 - Hani and Ishu's Guide to Fake Dating by Adiba Jaigirdar
Episode 190
Wednesday, September 7, 2022 • Duration 01:09:05
On this episode, we discuss our August 2022 book club pick, Hani and Ishu's Guide to Fake Dating by Adiba Jaigirdar, a story about 2 Bengali Irish teens who enter into, you guessed it, a fake relationship. Hani is doing i to prove to her very toxic friends that she is bi-sexual, and Ishu is doing it so Hani can help her become head girl. But what happens when the fake relationship starts becoming too real?
Don't miss an all AAPI production of HENRY VI: A Trilogy in Two Parts at The Public in NYC
The National Asian American Theatre Company’s acclaimed production of HENRY VI: A TRILOGY IN TWO PARTS brings an all-AANHPI cast to The Public Theater for a decades-spanning saga of Joan of Arc, warring dukes, and the bloody birth of the War of the Roses. Adapted by Stephen Brown-Fried, this is Shakespeare like you've never experienced it.
Part 1: Foreign Wars opens with a king dead, an infant on the throne, and a country already coming apart at the seams. Part 2: Civil Strife picks up nearly 30 years later...and the bloodbath is yet to come. Simmering feuds explode into the War of the Roses, and nothing will ever be the same. Performances from June 9 through July 19!
Use code H6BC for $59 tickets!
#189 - Author Chat w/ Sangu Mandanna
Episode 189
Thursday, August 25, 2022 • Duration 50:29
On this episode, we welcome author Sangu Mandanna to chat about her new novel The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, a cozy story about a lonely witch named Mika who finds herself in charge of educating three young witches in the English countryside. We chat with Sangu about her inspirations for this story of found family, generational trauma, and romance.
From Ma-Yi Theater Company (The Chinese Lady, Teenage Dick) comes a generation-spanning new journey through the historical and fantastical. Mixing traditional Korean fables with the horrors of the Korean War, Daniel K. Isaac’s epic new play is a funny and deeply moving analog for the experiences of the Korean American diaspora. Isaac deftly moves his characters through time, tracing the legacies of trauma that are passed from one generation to the next, and the various coping mechanisms each one uses to soldier on.
Playing August 23 - September 18 at the La Mama's Ellen Stewart Theater in New York City
Tickets on sale now at:ma-yitheatre.org - use promo code BOOKSANDBOBA for discounted tickets.
Don't miss an all AAPI production of HENRY VI: A Trilogy in Two Parts at The Public in NYC
The National Asian American Theatre Company’s acclaimed production of HENRY VI: A TRILOGY IN TWO PARTS brings an all-AANHPI cast to The Public Theater for a decades-spanning saga of Joan of Arc, warring dukes, and the bloody birth of the War of the Roses. Adapted by Stephen Brown-Fried, this is Shakespeare like you've never experienced it.
Part 1: Foreign Wars opens with a king dead, an infant on the throne, and a country already coming apart at the seams. Part 2: Civil Strife picks up nearly 30 years later...and the bloodbath is yet to come. Simmering feuds explode into the War of the Roses, and nothing will ever be the same. Performances from June 9 through July 19!
Use code H6BC for $59 tickets!
Don't miss an all AAPI production of HENRY VI: A Trilogy in Two Parts at The Public in NYC
The National Asian American Theatre Company’s acclaimed production of HENRY VI: A TRILOGY IN TWO PARTS brings an all-AANHPI cast to The Public Theater for a decades-spanning saga of Joan of Arc, warring dukes, and the bloody birth of the War of the Roses. Adapted by Stephen Brown-Fried, this is Shakespeare like you've never experienced it.
Part 1: Foreign Wars opens with a king dead, an infant on the throne, and a country already coming apart at the seams. Part 2: Civil Strife picks up nearly 30 years later...and the bloodbath is yet to come. Simmering feuds explode into the War of the Roses, and nothing will ever be the same. Performances from June 9 through July 19!
Use code H6BC for $59 tickets!
The National Asian American Theatre Company’s acclaimed production of HENRY VI: A TRILOGY IN TWO PARTS brings an all-AANHPI cast to The Public Theater for a decades-spanning saga of Joan of Arc, warring dukes, and the bloody birth of the War of the Roses. Adapted by Stephen Brown-Fried, this is Shakespeare like you've never experienced it.
Part 1: Foreign Wars opens with a king dead, an infant on the throne, and a country already coming apart at the seams. Part 2: Civil Strife picks up nearly 30 years later...and the bloodbath is yet to come. Simmering feuds explode into the War of the Roses, and nothing will ever be the same. Performances from June 9 through July 19!
Use code H6BC for $59 tickets!
Don't miss an all AAPI production of HENRY VI: A Trilogy in Two Parts at The Public in NYC
The National Asian American Theatre Company’s acclaimed production of HENRY VI: A TRILOGY IN TWO PARTS brings an all-AANHPI cast to The Public Theater for a decades-spanning saga of Joan of Arc, warring dukes, and the bloody birth of the War of the Roses. Adapted by Stephen Brown-Fried, this is Shakespeare like you've never experienced it.
Part 1: Foreign Wars opens with a king dead, an infant on the throne, and a country already coming apart at the seams. Part 2: Civil Strife picks up nearly 30 years later...and the bloodbath is yet to come. Simmering feuds explode into the War of the Roses, and nothing will ever be the same. Performances from June 9 through July 19!
Use code H6BC for $59 tickets!
Don't miss an all AAPI production of HENRY VI: A Trilogy in Two Parts at The Public in NYC
The National Asian American Theatre Company’s acclaimed production of HENRY VI: A TRILOGY IN TWO PARTS brings an all-AANHPI cast to The Public Theater for a decades-spanning saga of Joan of Arc, warring dukes, and the bloody birth of the War of the Roses. Adapted by Stephen Brown-Fried, this is Shakespeare like you've never experienced it.
Part 1: Foreign Wars opens with a king dead, an infant on the throne, and a country already coming apart at the seams. Part 2: Civil Strife picks up nearly 30 years later...and the bloodbath is yet to come. Simmering feuds explode into the War of the Roses, and nothing will ever be the same. Performances from June 9 through July 19!
Use code H6BC for $59 tickets!
Don't miss an all AAPI production of HENRY VI: A Trilogy in Two Parts at The Public in NYC
The National Asian American Theatre Company’s acclaimed production of HENRY VI: A TRILOGY IN TWO PARTS brings an all-AANHPI cast to The Public Theater for a decades-spanning saga of Joan of Arc, warring dukes, and the bloody birth of the War of the Roses. Adapted by Stephen Brown-Fried, this is Shakespeare like you've never experienced it.
Part 1: Foreign Wars opens with a king dead, an infant on the throne, and a country already coming apart at the seams. Part 2: Civil Strife picks up nearly 30 years later...and the bloodbath is yet to come. Simmering feuds explode into the War of the Roses, and nothing will ever be the same. Performances from June 9 through July 19!
Use code H6BC for $59 tickets!
Don't miss an all AAPI production of HENRY VI: A Trilogy in Two Parts at The Public in NYC
The National Asian American Theatre Company’s acclaimed production of HENRY VI: A TRILOGY IN TWO PARTS brings an all-AANHPI cast to The Public Theater for a decades-spanning saga of Joan of Arc, warring dukes, and the bloody birth of the War of the Roses. Adapted by Stephen Brown-Fried, this is Shakespeare like you've never experienced it.
Part 1: Foreign Wars opens with a king dead, an infant on the throne, and a country already coming apart at the seams. Part 2: Civil Strife picks up nearly 30 years later...and the bloodbath is yet to come. Simmering feuds explode into the War of the Roses, and nothing will ever be the same. Performances from June 9 through July 19!
Use code H6BC for $59 tickets!
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